Highly Efficient Synthesis of 2-Substituted Benzo[ b ]furan Derivatives from the Cross-Coupling Reactions of 2-Halobenzo[ b ]furans with Organoalane Reagents

Article abstract of DOI:10.1055/a-1516-8745

A highly efficient and simple route for the synthesis of 2-substituted benzo[ b ]furans has been developed by palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of 2-halobenzo[ b ]furans with aryl, alkynyl, and alkylaluminum reagents. Various 2-aryl-, 2-alkynyl-, and 2-alkyl-substituted benzo[ b ]furan derivatives can be obtained in 23-97% isolated yields using 2-3 mol% PdCl ₂/4-6 mol% XantPhos as the catalyst under mild reaction conditions. The aryls bearing electron-donating or electron-withdrawing groups in 2-halobenzo[ b ]furans gave products in 40-97% isolated yields. In addition, aluminum reagents containing thienyl, furanyl, trimethylsilanyl, and benzyl groups worked efficiently with 2-halobenzo[ b ]furans as well, and three bioactive molecules with 2-substituted benzo[ b ]furan skeleton were synthesized. Furthermore, the broad substrates scope and the typical maintenance of vigorous efficiency on gram scale make this protocol a potentially practical method to synthesize 2-substituted benzo[ b ]furan derivatives. On the basis of the experimental results, a possible catalytic cycle has been proposed.